Solved Playback audio through both inbuilt and external speakers.

williamdry

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Hi, I'm wondering if anybody can help me

I want to play music (or any other audio playback) through both my inbuilt laptop speakers and external speakers which I plug in. I have found many instructions on how to do this on other forums but none of them seem to work on my laptop. At the moment my laptop automatically switches to playing through headphones when I plug them in and automatically switches back to inbuilt speakers when I unplug headphones. I have tried looking in "playback devices" but my headphones don't show up, even when plugged in. The only device that shows up is "Speakers, Realtek high definition audio" and this doesn't change when I plug in external speaker. The volume indicator next to this also doesn't change when I adjust the volume on my pc or press mute. Perhaps it is also important to mention that my laptop only has one audio jack.

Any help appreciated,
Thanks.
 

My Computer

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    Dell Inspirion 3521-3829
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    Intel Pentium CPU 2117U @ 1.80GHz
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    RAM: 4.00GB
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If you have RealTek you should have a RealTek HD Audio Manager. Within the Manager (on most) is an option to either mute (default) or not mute the speakers when a headset is plugged in.

The RealTek HD Audio Manager is located in the Control Panel/Hardware and Sound.

Here is a screen shot of my HD Manager. Clicking on Device Advanced Settings brings up the panel with the option for mute or not mute.

Realtek HD Audio Manager.JPG
 

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    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
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Thanks fireberd, but I don't think I have this manager on my laptop. All that is under "Hardware and Sound" is this:

Screenshot (105).png

There is no "Realtek HD Audio Manager". When I click on "Sound" this window comes up:

sound.JPG

and when I double click (or right-click>properties) on the device shown there this window comes up:

speakers properties.JPG

This seems to be the equivalent of what you were talking about but I can't find any option to mute speakers when headset is connected, even in the "advanced" tab. Does anybody else have the same system as me and know how to do this? It is a Dell laptop, don't know if that makes any difference.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Single Language 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspirion 3521-3829
    CPU
    Intel Pentium CPU 2117U @ 1.80GHz
    Memory
    RAM: 4.00GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Screen Resolution
    Resolution: 1366x768 Refresh Rate: 60p Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal hard-drive: 500GB
    Internet Speed
    D: 3.15Mbps U: 0.46Mbps
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RealTek HD Audio Manager" should be in the Control Panel if you have right drivers installed. If you don't see it, switch view to "Large Icons", easier to find stuff like that.
 

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I don't think I have it. I think I have Dell Audio instead which doesn't have this option.
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Single Language 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspirion 3521-3829
    CPU
    Intel Pentium CPU 2117U @ 1.80GHz
    Memory
    RAM: 4.00GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Screen Resolution
    Resolution: 1366x768 Refresh Rate: 60p Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal hard-drive: 500GB
    Internet Speed
    D: 3.15Mbps U: 0.46Mbps
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The Max Audio appears to be an "enhancement" to the RealTek but the RealTek HD Audio manager is not installed.

What is the exact Dell model? for example Inpiron Laptop 15R, XPS8700 desktop, etc. Helps us to try and help you.

If you truly have RealTek, you can install the RealTek High Definition Codecs (drivers) direct from the RealTek site and that should give you the RealTek HD Manager. www.realtek.com
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Win 10
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    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
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    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
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    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
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    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
Dell inspirion 15 laptop. Dell model: Inspirion 3521-3829
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Single Language 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspirion 3521-3829
    CPU
    Intel Pentium CPU 2117U @ 1.80GHz
    Memory
    RAM: 4.00GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Screen Resolution
    Resolution: 1366x768 Refresh Rate: 60p Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal hard-drive: 500GB
    Internet Speed
    D: 3.15Mbps U: 0.46Mbps
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The Dell downloads confirm you have the RealTek. The RealTek drivers directly from RealTek, as noted should work and give you the RealTek HD Audio manager so you can do what you want.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
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    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
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    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
Hi fireberd,

I downloaded and installed the Realtek HD Audio Driver found here: Realtek but it seems to be exactly the same as what I had. Nothing has changed. I know that it has been reinstalled because the installer first uninstalled my current driver before installing the new one, and in this window period there was no driver. I downloaded version R2.75 which was released May 21, 2014. Maybe you have an older version which has been discontinued?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Single Language 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspirion 3521-3829
    CPU
    Intel Pentium CPU 2117U @ 1.80GHz
    Memory
    RAM: 4.00GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Screen Resolution
    Resolution: 1366x768 Refresh Rate: 60p Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal hard-drive: 500GB
    Internet Speed
    D: 3.15Mbps U: 0.46Mbps
    Browser
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That is the version I'm using on all my PC's, in Win 7/Win8.1. and even the pre-release Win 10. I used to work the Dell Forums (10 years) and I don't recall Dell doing anything to prevent having that panel. Did you reboot after installing the R2.75? Correct operation when you run the installer is it (1) uninstalls whatever driver is currently installed (2) have you restart the PC (3) install R2.75 after the restart and finally (4) restart the PC again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
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    Logitech wireless
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    Cable - 100MB Downlink
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    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
The installer prompted me to follow all of the above steps, in that order, and I did. So I'm not sure what's going on...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Single Language 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspirion 3521-3829
    CPU
    Intel Pentium CPU 2117U @ 1.80GHz
    Memory
    RAM: 4.00GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Screen Resolution
    Resolution: 1366x768 Refresh Rate: 60p Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal hard-drive: 500GB
    Internet Speed
    D: 3.15Mbps U: 0.46Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    avast! antivirus
There are cases of specific hardware not allowing some options. For example, some PC vendors do not allow the users to set the Stereo Mix as the default recording device (a concession to DRM (Digital Rights Management). This sounds like something Dell may have done.

Suggest you repost this on the Dell Laptop forum and see what they say there. I've been gone from the Dell forums for several years and not up on the latest Dell models and what their options.
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/
 

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  • OS
    Win 10
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    PC/Desktop
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    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
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    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
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    Deepcool Captain 120EX
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    Microsoft Wireless
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    Cable - 100MB Downlink
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    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
Ok thanks. I will do that and will post here if I get an answer. Thank you for your help!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Single Language 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspirion 3521-3829
    CPU
    Intel Pentium CPU 2117U @ 1.80GHz
    Memory
    RAM: 4.00GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Screen Resolution
    Resolution: 1366x768 Refresh Rate: 60p Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal hard-drive: 500GB
    Internet Speed
    D: 3.15Mbps U: 0.46Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
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    avast! antivirus
Something I didn't see mentioned on this subject is the physical action of plugging in speakers or headset that automatically disables the onboard/built-in speakers. Have seen that on most Notebooks but did see a Notebook the other day that had 2 headphone jacks, presumably for sharing music being played. In most cases using a splitter/Y-cable would help in using external speakers plus headset.
 

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Hi Berton, thanks for your concern but I have a splitter which I would use if I had speakers. What I want to do is play music through both plugged in headphones and built in laptop speakers (as they are the only speakers that I have). However, as I did mention in my original post, when I plug in headphones, sound automatically plays through them and not though the built in speakers.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Single Language 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspirion 3521-3829
    CPU
    Intel Pentium CPU 2117U @ 1.80GHz
    Memory
    RAM: 4.00GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Screen Resolution
    Resolution: 1366x768 Refresh Rate: 60p Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal hard-drive: 500GB
    Internet Speed
    D: 3.15Mbps U: 0.46Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    avast! antivirus
when I plug in headphones, sound automatically plays through them and not though the built in speakers
What you described is perfectly correct. It's the way the headset socket is made, push a plug in it and the built-in speakers get disabled. There's nothing one can do about that as it's all part of the motherboard. One thing you might look at is Bluetooth speakers if your Notebook has the Bluetooth Wireless adapter, usually part of the Wi-Fi adapter. There are some speaker sets that have a headset jack but it functions the same way as the headset jack on a Notebook.
 

My Computer

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    AMD and Intel
It can't be the way the socket is made. According to fireberd there is an option to change it on his/her PC
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Single Language 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspirion 3521-3829
    CPU
    Intel Pentium CPU 2117U @ 1.80GHz
    Memory
    RAM: 4.00GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Screen Resolution
    Resolution: 1366x768 Refresh Rate: 60p Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal hard-drive: 500GB
    Internet Speed
    D: 3.15Mbps U: 0.46Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
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    avast! antivirus
Then you will need to contact the maker of your Notebook to ask how to do it with your particular model. I have a number of Notebooks I've resurrected plus a couple of I've bought and they all work the same way, the brands are Dell, HP, Gateway, ASUS, Acer, Panasonic and Toshiba. My Netbook and Tablets work the same. Can't say what the PC you referred to can do, see no information about it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WinXP, WinVista, Win7, Win8.1, Win10, Linux Mint 20
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    CPU
    AMD and Intel
According to a man on the Dell forum Dell laptops do not have a Realtek Audio Manager. Instead you get a Dell Audio Manager that seems to be based on the Realtek Manager but is much less useful. He says as far as he knows there is no way to do what I want.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Single Language 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspirion 3521-3829
    CPU
    Intel Pentium CPU 2117U @ 1.80GHz
    Memory
    RAM: 4.00GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Screen Resolution
    Resolution: 1366x768 Refresh Rate: 60p Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal hard-drive: 500GB
    Internet Speed
    D: 3.15Mbps U: 0.46Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    avast! antivirus
That's what I suspected. Sorry to hear that it can't be user modified like the regular RealTek HD Audio Manager panel.

But, thanks for the feedback and info. I'll keep it in mind if someone with a Dell posts about this again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
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